HRCU WEEKLY UPDATES: ISSUE NO. 16 OF 2024
THE
WEEK OF 17TH TO 23RD JUNE 2024
Dear
reader,
Welcome
to this week's edition of our blog, where we continue to focus on the key
emerging human rights issues and the working environment of human rights
defenders (HRDs) in Uganda. In this edition, we will delve into some of the key
issues that emerged from last week. These include:
National
News
DEFENDING
THE ENVIRONMENT: GOVERNMENT TASKED TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR ENFORCEMENT
AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
Civil
society organizations (CSO) are asking the government to increase funding for
government agencies involved in environmental protection to effectively enforce
against degradation.
This
followed the commissioning of the environmental protection force that will
operate under the command of the National Environment Management Authority
(NEMA).
Ivan
Amanigaruhanga the Executive Director at the Uganda Biodiversity Fund explained that the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and other
regulatory organizations such as the Environmental Protection Force should take
serious action to improve carbon sequestration and enhance biodiversity for
climate resilience.
The
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is the principal agency in
Uganda, charged with the responsibility of coordinating, monitoring,
regulating, and supervising environmental management in the country.
NEMA
spearheads the development of environmental policies, laws, regulations,
standards, and guidelines; and guides the Government on sound environment
management in Uganda.
Most
environmental management strategies involve requirements of individuals and
facilities that cause degradation or harm to the environment.
ROAD
ACCIDENTS AND THE NEED TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO LIFE: 15 PERISH IN KASSANDA
ROAD CRASH
At
least 15 people were confirmed to have died in a road crash that occurred at
Namirayngo in Kassanda district along Mityana-Bukuya road.
According
to Wamala region police spokesperson Racheal Kawala, the crash involved an
Isuzu Forward truck, Reg no. UBA 605A, which was carrying market vendors from
Mityana Town to Bukuya.
She
said the yet to be identified driver of the truck lost control on a slope,
causing it to overturn, resulting in the death of 11 people on the spot.
Kawala
said scores of others have sustained serious injuries and have been rushed to
Mityana Hospital and Bukuya Health Centre IV for treatment.
The
bodies of the deceased were conveyed to
Mityana hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination, while the vehicle has been
towed to Kassanda Police Station for further inspection.
“Inquiries
are ongoing to determine the cause of the accident.
The
scene of the crime was visited by traffic officers, and the bodies of the
deceased have been conveyed to Mityana hospital mortuary for post-mortem
examination. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims”,
said Kawala in a press statement issued on Wednesday last week afternoon.
Source:
https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/15-perish-in-kassanda-road-crash.html
RECOGNISING
REFUGEES - WORLD REFUGEE DAY: UN CALLS FOR SOLIDARITY, INCLUSION AMID RECORD
DISPLACEMENT
UN
Chief António Guterres said with forced displacement at a record high of 110
million people around the world, there should be more solutions to resettle
refugees and help them rebuild their lives.
He
also stressed the need for solidarity with host countries and communities and
said Guns must fall silent if the exodus is to stop.
Guterres
added that these are individual women, children and men making difficult
journeys – often facing violence, exploitation, discrimination and abuse.
Youngsters
need quality education amid the upheaval, and generous host nations also need
resources so that refugees can be fully integrated into society and the labor
force according to the UN chief.
This
year’s world refugee day theme is “Hope Away from Home: A World Where Refugees
Are Always Included.
“During
my decades when I commissioned for refugees I witnessed the resilience and
contributions of the refugees across all of life, their perseverance in the
face of adversity inspires me every day, they represent the very best of human
spirits”, Guterres said.
PROTECTION
OF CHILDREN’S RIGHTS: GOVERNMENT NOT HAPPY WITH CHILD POLICY PERFORMANCE AT
REGIONAL LEVEL
Government
is concerned about the poor performance the East African Child Policy launched
three years ago to protect the rights of children at regional level.
According
to the Commissioner for Youth and Children Affairs, Ministry of Gender, Labour
and Social Development, Fred Ngabirano, a recent study showed that of all East
African countries only Uganda had a cross rephrased policy.
Ngabirano
however said this will not stop Uganda from further advocating for policies
that prioritize education for all children in the region.
He
was speaking at a welcome dinner hosted in Kampala by the AfriChild Centre for
the African Region Committee of Experts on Children Rights ahead of
celebrations to mark the Day of the African Child slated for June 16th with the
national commemorative event set to be held in Kiryandongo district.
“Our
collaboration with the committee is written in a shared vision of promoting and
protecting the right of every child in Africa, together we continue advocate
for policies and initiatives that priotize education Health projection under
empowerment for all children in our continent.”
The
African Region Committee of Experts on Children Rights is responsible for
ensuring that commitments by Countries and Africa at large towards child rights
fulfillment are met.
Source:
https://www.kfm.co.ug/news/government-not-happy-with-child-policy-performance-at-regional-level.html
TACKLING
POVERTY: ONLY 20% OF UGANDANS ARE POOR - SDG REPORT
The
number of Ugandans living in poverty has dropped drastically from 45% to 20%
following the implementation of the sustainable development goals
This
revelation was made in the Uganda's 3rd SDGs assessment report set to be
presented in New York next month
The
director SDGs Byamugisha Albert says many Ugandas have taken advantage of
government poverty alleviation programs like emyooga resulting into more money
generating activities
"We
are assessing from 2016 to 2024 and the data we last collected in 2020 shows
the poverty levels levels reduced to 20% from 45%," said director SDGs
Albert Byamugisha .
The
prime minister Robinah Nabbanja presided over the presentation of Uganda's 3rd
voluntary national review report on the implementation of the SDGs at Munyonyo.
According
to the director SDGs, this milestone is attributed to the many government
programs like emyooga which Ugandans have embraced hence eradicating poverty.
"Key
indicators to the decline are government programs. The likes of entandikwa,
emyooga, YLP, among others. Many people are now able to engage in Income
generating activities," said Byamugisha.
Uganda
started implementing the SDGs in 2016 and efforts have been geared towards
localization of these SDGs.
The
Prime minister Robinah Nabbanja said efforts to take these SDGs to ordinary
people are starting to yield efforts with the country now set to see that no
one is left behind.
Nabbanja
Said, "by focusing on food production, job creation, wealth creation and
improved service delivery at the parish level and other operation wealth
creation programs are integral in ensuring that no one is left behind."
However,
many local leaders are concerned there is much to do to achieve the 2030 agenda
when the country is expected to have attained the SDGs 100%
This
report is set to be presented in New York next year where each of the
implementing countries will be accounting their achievements.
Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/204370/only-20-of-ugandans-are-poor-sdg-report
CORRUPTION
AND THE RIGHT TO PRACTICE ONE’S PROFESSION: TWO JOURNALISTS REMANDED OVER
MPS' CORRUPTION STORY
Buganda
Road Chief Magistrate's court remanded two journalists to Luzira prison for
allegedly publishing information without a valid broadcasting license.
Dickson
Ashley Mubiru, Managing Director of Grapevine News Publications and Alirabaki
Ssengoba, a reporter at Grapevine were arraigned before chief magistrate,
Ronald Kayizzi on Thursday on two separate cases.
The
prosecution alleges that Mubiru and Sengooba and others still at large, on June
1, 2024, in Kampala district published a story titled "Inside story; How top legislators
shared 5 million dollar Vitol Oil bribe" in Grapevine without a valid
license from Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
On
another file, the prosecution alleges that on May 15, 2023, the Grapevine
within Kampala published a story titled "Lawyer Kabali, justice Nkonge
clash over court case file" without a valid operating license from UCC.
The suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges.
State
attorney, Ivan Kyazze told the court that investigations in the matter are
still ongoing. Sengooba and Mubiru's lawyer Nasser Kibazo wasn't ready to apply
for bail, saying he didn't have the necessary documentation. He asked for a
shorter adjournment to apply for bail until June 21.
REGIONAL UPDATE
KENYA:
RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION; PROTEST: THOUSANDS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST
PROPOSED TAX INCREASES
After
months of expressing anger on social media, thousands of Kenyans gathered in
Nairobi and elsewhere last week protested a bill that would increase taxes to
pay for loans and development.
Demonstrations
continued, even as the government announced it would scale back part of the
proposed tax increases. Hundreds of protesters in Nairobi demanded lawmakers
reject the 2024 Finance Bill, which increases taxes on different sectors of the
economy. Some of these higher taxes are a result of infrastructure debt owed to
China.
Hundreds
more protested in President William Ruto’s hometown of Eldoret, and the cities
of Nyeri, Nakuru, Kisii and Kisumu. The proposed taxes would increase the
prices of diapers, tyres, batteries, smartphones, and cameras. The government
wants to increase the fuel levy by Kshs 9 (about UGX 290), which the bill's
sponsors say will be used to maintain damaged roads.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATE
EFFECTS
OF CLIMATE CHANGE: HUNDREDS OF HAJJ PILGRIMS DIE AS MECCA TEMPERATURES HIT
120 FAHRENHEIT
More
than 300 people died and thousands were treated for heatstroke while performing
the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca amid extreme temperatures of up to
49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit).
At
least 165 Indonesians, 68 Jordanians, 35 Pakistanis, 35 Tunisians and 11
Iranians have died, according to authorities in each country. A further 22
Jordanians are hospitalized and 16 are still missing, the Jordanian Foreign
Ministry said. Dozens of Iranians have also been hospitalized due to heatstroke
and other conditions, the Iranian Red Crescent said Wednesday, according to
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.
The
death toll is likely to rise, as Saudi Arabia and Egypt have yet to release
official figures. Additionally, the governments are only aware of pilgrims who
have registered and traveled to Mecca as part of their country’s quota – more
deaths are feared among unregistered pilgrims.
Source:
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/19/middleeast/hajj-deaths-mecca-extreme-heat-intl-latam/index.html
CONCLUDING
OBSERVATIONS
1.
Environmental
degradation has profound implications for human rights, as the destruction of
natural resources and ecosystems can directly and indirectly impact various
fundamental rights. Increased funding enables better enforcement of laws aimed
at reducing deforestation and promoting reforestation. This, in turn, helps in
sequestering carbon dioxide and mitigating the effects of climate change.
2.
The
recent road accident in Kassanda, which resulted in the tragic loss of 15
lives, starkly underscores the critical intersection between road safety and
the right to life. The Government
must prioritize improving road conditions, enforcing traffic laws, raising
public awareness, and supporting accident victims. By taking these steps,
Uganda can reduce the incidence of road accidents and safeguard the lives and
well-being of its citizens.
3.
World
Refugee Day, observed on June 20, is a global event designated by the United Nations
to honor refugees around the globe. This day serves to raise awareness about
the plight of refugees and to advocate for their rights and well-being. Supporting
refugees and ensuring their rights and dignity, the international community can
help build a more just and compassionate world. The UN's call for action
underscores the importance of collective responsibility, integration, and the
protection of human rights for all displaced individuals.
4.
Press
freedom is a cornerstone of democracy, enabling journalists to report on issues
of public interest without fear of retribution. It is protected under
international human rights instruments such as Article 19 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights.
5.
Children
are inherently vulnerable due to their dependence on adults for care,
protection, and guidance. They lack the experience and maturity to advocate for
themselves effectively in many situations. Therefore, protecting children's
rights is not only a moral obligation but also a smart investment in the future
requiring concerted efforts from governments, communities, families, and
individuals to create environments where children can grow up safe, healthy,
and empowered to fulfill their potential.
Thank you for reading. Happy new week
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